Scottish debut for The Nether

Edinburgh amateur company Paradok has issued an open casting call for its Scottish premiere of Jennifer Haley’s “provocative” play, The Nether.

The production will run Tuesday 28 March to Saturday 1 April 2017, with performances at 7.30pm, in an Edinburgh venue. Auditions are this weekend, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January 2017.

Image from the cover of The Nether playscript

The Nether is set in a fully immersive virtual reality that has replaced the internet in the near-future. It has taken over the real world to the point where most people now work, study and play there.

All you have to do is log in and choose an identity – but it is a world able to fulfil any dream and desire, no matter how dark and grotesque. But when a young detective uncovers a disturbing brand of entertainment, she triggers a dark battle over technology and human desire.

Winning the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Jennifer Haley, The Nether is both serpentine crime drama and haunting sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of living out private dreams.

After premiering in Los Angeles in 2013, a production was staged at London’s Royal Court in 2014, transferring to the West End. Paradok’s Scottish premiere production has been made possible by a grant from The University of Edinburgh’s English Literature department

Theatre Paradok strives: “To leave behind traditional, literal direction, and to push the production team to their creative limits, embodying where possible aspects of alternative theatre making”, according to its constitution.

Although Paradok is a student-run theatre company it is also open to – and welcomes – non-student members.

The Nether Auditions

“No preparation or previous acting experience is required – just turn up during the audition times on either day. You will be asked to partner up with one of the other auditionees and prepare a reading of a dialog. All the materials will be provided on the day.”

Role Descriptions

Sims – A successful middle-aged businessman, who hosts guests in his old world style mansion in The Nether. Sims is obsessed with maintaining control both in his personal and professional relationships, but is confident and at ease with every aspect of his personality.

Morris – A young, headstrong female detective. She seeks to be professional, cold, and detached in her interactions, yet at times she has a much more personal motive than she would like to let on.

Doyle – A science teacher in his 50s, disillusioned with his role in society, who prefers the freedom and new possibilities given by the virtual world to the realities of his aging body and social isolation. He quickly becomes exhausted and terrified when questioned by Morris about his life in The Nether.

Iris – A shining little girl. (acting age 12 – 14)

Woodnut – A pleasant, somewhat awkward and unfailingly polite Victorian gentleman with a keen interest in the inner workings of the Victorian realm and its machinery.